Light emitting device for generating light with embedded information

Abstract

A light emitting device ( 100 ) for emitting a beam of light is disclosed. The light emission of the light emitting device ( 100 ) comprises an embedded code. The light emitting device ( 100 ) comprises a beam shape controller ( 102 ) for controlling a shape of the beam of light and a first processor connected to the beam shape controller, arranged for generating the embedded code. The first processor ( 104 ) is further arranged for embedding a message in the embedded code based on the shape of the beam of light. This allows the light emitting device ( 100 ) to communicate information to a receiving device based on its effect area (i.e. the illuminated area). This information may, for example, comprise information about the beam shape and size, which may be used to determine an area wherein the receiving device is located relative to the light emitting device ( 100 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A light emitting device for emitting a beam of light, the light emission comprising an embedded code, the light emitting device comprising:
 a beam shape controller for controlling a shape of the beam of light, and 
 a first processor connected to the beam shape controller, arranged for generating the embedded code, wherein the first processor is further arranged for embedding a message in the embedded code based on the shape of the beam of light, wherein the message comprises beam shape information of the shape of the beam of light. 
 
     
     
       2. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the embedded code is comprised in visible light in the light beam emitted by the light emitting device. 
     
     
       3. The light emitting device of  claim 2 , wherein the first processor is further arranged for controlling a colour of the light emitted by the light emitting device based on the shape of the beam. 
     
     
       4. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the beam shape controller comprises controllable optics for controlling the shape of the beam. 
     
     
       5. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device comprises a plurality of light sources arranged for emitting the light, and wherein the beam shape controller is arranged for controlling the shape of the beam by selectively controlling the light emission of the plurality of light sources. 
     
     
       6. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is further arranged for controlling the beam shape controller. 
     
     
       7. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting device further comprises a user interaction element connected to the beam shape controller, wherein the user interaction element is arranged for receiving a user input, and wherein the control of the shape of the beam is based on the user input. 
     
     
       8. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is arranged for embedding a multicast message in the embedded code for a first shape of the beam and for embedding a unicast message in the embedded code for a second shape of the beam, wherein the first shape is different from the second shape, and wherein the multicast message is intended to be received by a plurality of receiving devices and the unicast message is intended to be received by a predetermined receiving device. 
     
     
       9. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is further arranged for embedding position information in the message, the position information being related to the position of the light emitting device. 
     
     
       10. The light emitting device of  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is further arranged for controlling an intensity of the light emission of the light emitting device based on the shape of the beam. 
     
     
       11. A system for generating and detecting an embedded code comprised in a beam of light emitted by a light emitting device, the system comprising:
 a light emitting device for generating the beam of light with embedded code comprising:
 a beam shape controller for controlling a shape of the beam of light, and 
 a first processor connected to the beam shape controller, the first processor arranged for generating the embedded code, wherein the first processor is further arranged for embedding a message in the embedded code based at least in part on a shape of the beam of light, wherein the message comprises beam shape information of the shape of the beam of light; and 
 
 a light receiving device comprising:
 a detector arranged for detecting the embedded code in the beam of light emitted by the light emitting device, and 
 a second processor arranged for decoding the embedded code, and for generating a control command for the light receiving device based on the embedded code. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the second processor is arranged for determining a position of the light receiving device relative to the light emitting device based on the detected embedded code. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11 , wherein the light receiving device comprises at least one light source arranged for providing illumination, and wherein the second processor is arranged for controlling the light output of the at least one light source based on the generated control command. 
     
     
       14. A method of generating an embedded code comprised in the light emission of a light emitting device, the method comprising the steps of:
 controlling a shape of the beam of light, 
 receiving information about the shape of the beam of the light emitted by the light emitting device, and 
 embedding a message in the embedded code based on the shape of the beam of the light emitted by the light emitting device, wherein the message comprises beam shape information of the shape of the beam of light.